Davao passes rule institutionalizing more environment-friendly paving systems

THE DAVAO City Council approved last week an ordinance institutionalizing Permeable Paving Systems (PPS) in the construction of car parking spaces, walkways, open spaces, and low-traffic roads of establishments. “PPS is a storm water management facility that allows water to move through void spaces within the pavement and eventually infiltrate into underlying soils,” explained Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, chair of the committee on public works. Mr. Zozobrado noted that a provision of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requires the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent or minimize the causes of climate change and mitigate its adverse effects. “The use of the PPS is one of the alternative options eyed to solve the environmental problems caused by conventional concrete,” he said. The committees on public works and highways, and environment and natural resources convened in July to draft the ordinance after the non-government group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Inc. requested the passage of more environment-friendly construction policies in the city. — Carmencita A. Carillo